Vodafone's regional investment is paying off

One year after Vodafone inked its network-sharing deal with Optus, a new report has revealed its impact on regional consumers.

Vodafone’s acting group executive for consumer, James Gully, said that the new report – prepared by Deloitte Access Economics – shows Vodafone’s expanded network is delivering better value for customers, greater competition among mobile providers, and helping communities stay productive and connected.

“Australians no longer need to feel like they’re paying a connectivity tax just to stay connected,” said Gully

“Vodafone’s expanded regional network is helping close the urban–regional connectivity gap, giving customers a reliable mobile service where they live, work and travel."

According to Deloitte’s analysis, Vodafone has seen an estimated 29% uplift in the monthly volume of connections switching from a competitor to its network since the network sharing agreement came into effect in January 2025.

In addition to an increase in customers switching to the Vodafone network, the report also noted that the mobile download speeds for regional customers have increased by an average of 350% over the same period.

This surge in speed has also come alongside a boom in data usage, with downloads by regional Vodafone customers in the Northern Territory jumping 188% – more than double the 90% increase seen nationwide.

The network-sharing agreement has also resulted in more fundamental service improvements, like a 20% reduction in call dropouts.

According to the report, these gains in service quality have resulted in a similar increase of 24% when it comes to call volume.

Deloitte's analysis also touched on Vodafone’s ongoing investment in 5G.

The report predicted that the carrier’s continued investment in its next-generation network will see 1,500 regional sites come online by 2028, with another 900 due to go live by 2031.

“While the network expansion provided an immediate boost in 5G access for Vodafone customers, it also accelerates Optus’ rollout of 5G sites across regional Australia by two years,” the report said.

Check out popular plans in our database from providers on the Vodafone network below:

Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Large Monthly Plan 120GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 120GB for $20 (incl. $20 off for first 6 mths + 40GB bonus data for 6 mths), then 80GB for $40 thereafter, valid until 25.10.26 $20.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$20.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 30GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 25GB for $10 (incl. $13 off for first month + 5GB bonus data for first 3 months), then 25GB for $23 thereafter, valid until 25.10.26 $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
felix mobile	felix mobile felix Unlimited Mobile Plan Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $20/mth for first 3 mths, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $40.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
felix mobile	felix mobile felix Unlimited+ Mobile Plan Unlimited data at download speeds up to 80Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network $50.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$50.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
felix mobile	felix mobile felix 50GB Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $17.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $35/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $35.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$35.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
TPG	TPG 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Medium Monthly Plan 40GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $29.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$29.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
Vodafone	Vodafone $68 Medium SIM Only Plan 220GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $18/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply. $50.00/mth Min. cost $50 Link not supplied	$50.00/mth Min. cost $50	Link not supplied
TPG	TPG 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied

Fergus Halliday

Digital Content Editor

Fergus Halliday is a journalist and digital content editor at WhistleOut Australia. He’s written about technology, telecommunications, gaming and more for over a decade. He got his start writing in high school before interning at magazines like CRN Australia and freelancing for publications like the AU Review, Gizmodo, Kotaku, GamesHub, Press Start, ScreenRant, Superjump, Nestegg, and more.

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